New Handgun... What To Do?

[Bully 749]

So, as a few of you know, I put some money down on a Kimber 9mm Stainless Target II. I'm hoping to pick it up at the beginning of January, but we'll see how long it takes for the permit to come thru.

 

Anyway, I am looking for suggestions/guidance on what to do to the gun before I take it to the range for the first time. I've never owned a gun before and don't want my experience to suck because I did something wrong or used the wrong product.

 

I am assuming that I will field strip it and clean it beforehand. What products would y'all recommend? Do Kimbers like to run on the wet side or are they ok with very light lube? Recommendations on lubes? (keep the snickers to yourself!!!) Anything else I am missing, please let me know. Thanks much and I am looking forward to learning about this hobby.

 

C

[gunforhire 826]

Stop by my place before you take it apart and I will show you how to prevent the 1/2 circle scratch to the frame with the slide stop. This kills me every time a see a 1911 pistol with that scratch.

 

Enjoy

 

Anthony

[Bully 749]

Hey Anthony. Thanks for the offer. Much appreciated. I will take you up on it. Have already spoken with Marie(?) about a class for my soon to be 12 year old. I'm looking forward to taking him and also looking into a class or two for myself.

 

C

[mcbethr 42]

I would suggest getting some 9mm Snap Caps or Safe-t-trainers. You can get them online at Brownells. These are basically inert dummy or training rounds and they are important for 3 reasons

 

#1, You can practice loading / unloading the gun and get a feel for trigger before you even get to the range. And note its usually best not to fire a gun on an empty chamber, although this depends on the gun.

 

#2. You can find out if you are jerking the trigger or anticipating the shot of the gun by having a friend secretly load a snap cap. If you flinch as you pull the trigger, you know the problem is you and not the gun.

 

#3. They are good for practicing immediate action or tap, rack ready while you are shooting. Have a friend load a magazine with 1 or 2 snap caps in the magazine. Shoot the gun at a target. When the hammer goes 'click' instead of 'bang' you've just simulated a dud round or a jam. Slap the magazine, rack the slide, and get ready to engage the target again. This does two things. It helps you get to know the feeling between slide lock (your magazine is empty) and a jam/dud round. And it also gives you the muscle memory to react instantly to a jam or dud round.

[Bully 749]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into those.

 

C

[Jon 264]

I use Brian Enos slide-glide for grease, CLP breakfree for oil, and Mpro-7 for cleaning solvent.

 

Definitely take it apart and wipe down/apply grease/oil before shooting.

[TheWombat 67]

Definitely recommend taking Anthony up on his offer!

 

Some other suggestions based on recently being in the same situation

1. Watch some You Tube videos on field stripping 1911s. They also mention about how to prevent the 'idiot scratch'. Do take apart the 1911 and clean it before your first range visit, get used to how it looks, take some photos! Watch out for flying springs and bushing covers!
   
2. Buy some cleaning supplies. As others have mentioned
   
   1. 
      
   2. CLP,
      
   3. cotton squares
      
   4. a cleaning kit e.g. I bought http://www.midwayusa...357-9mm-caliber it does the job and was fairly cheap
      
   5. a bore snake e.g. I bought http://www.midwayusa...-380-38-caliber and it is excellent
      

[*]Buy a holster, magazine holder and gun belt - e.g. Comp-Tac Pro Competition Kit is a good starting option. I bought one. http://www.comp-tac....odt979pa8rcn227

[*]Buy spare magazines - I'd recommend having 5 magazines, you'll use them. When at the range try to use a random low number of rounds in each magazine and practice switching magazines when you get to slide lock. A useful easy drill. Also remember to practice taking the safety on and off between at least some of the shots

[*]Buy a range bag

[*]I recommend you try some different ammunition before bulk buying. I personally like Federal American Eagle 124gr and Speer Lawman 124gr which are around $210 to $230 for 1000 rounds. I personally dislike Winchester White Box (I find it quite dirty) and Remington (as I find it flames a lot)

[*]Buy some 9mm snap caps. I bought http://www.midwayusa...um-package-of-5 and practice dry firing

[*]Before buying any targets, take a look on the Internet. There are many free ones that you can download and print. I like the NJ Gun Forum one as a beginner target as it shows you whether you are jerking the trigger etc depending on where the bullets land.

[*]buy lubricant - I use Slide Glide and Shooters Choice, plus some standard Hoppes Oil

[*]Buy a gun cleaning mat (or equivalent). I bought my wife this http://www.amazon.com/1911-Handgun-Pistol-Gun-Cleaning/dp/B0036N9A3G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323463406&sr=8-4 which is nice

[*]Think about where you will clean the firearm, ensure that if on a dining table that you get a big plastic sheet or something so you don't ruin the table

[*]Buy some padlocks and a small pistol case for transporting the firearm and meeting NJ laws. I bought http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Y8DQ and http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=394654 . Plenty of options at Amazon, Midway etc just ensure the one you buy can be locked and is large enough for your firearm

[*]Buy a range bag - I bought the following 2 (one for me one for wife) - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/939259680/midwayusa-competition-range-bag and http://www.midwayusa.com/product/939167522/midwayusa-compact-competition-range-bag?cm_vc=S016

[*]Buy a peaked cap (if you don't already have one) and wear it when shooting so the spent brass is less likely to hit your face

[*]Buy some ear muffs. Electronic ones are nice as they allow you to hear what people are saying while also reducing the noise of the shooting. I went for expensive ones from STSTactical however many people recommend a more reasonably priced set e.g. Howard Leight http://www.midwayusa.com/product/671923/howard-leight-impact-sport-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-22-db-green

[*]Buy some earplugs - ideally with a high decibel rating. When shooting indoors I'd recommend wearing both earplugs and ear muffs especially if someone beside you is shooting large calibers or rifles

[*]Buy some shooting glasses. If you wear prescription glasses then Revision Eyewear (e.g. the Sawfly http://www.revisionmilitary.com/sawfly.html) are very good - I wear them so does Anthony from GFH.

[*]Consider where and how you will store your firearm. Do you need a safe? If so which one etc depending on the purpose and whether you have children in the house at times.

[*]Consider buying some desiccant for wherever you store the gun to keep the moisture away

[*]Consider buying a Silicon Impregnated Cleaning Cloth e.g. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/565542/hoppes-silicone-impregnated-gun-cleaning-cloth these are great for a final wipe down to prevent rust and remove finger prints

 

You don't need to buy all the above straight away, however pretty soon you should consider them

 

[Edited to add some more items based on looking at my recent receipts]. While I've provided links to specific items, I didn't always buy from Amazon, MidwayUSA etc. I searched for the lowest prices and grouped with other items I was buying so shop around and also look out for coupon codes. Midway has 10% off vouchers, Amazon has free SuperSaver shipping etc.

 

hth

 

TheWombat

[Bully 749]

^^^ What I am looking for.^^^

 

Thanks a bunch. Any other suggestions, please post.

 

C

[TheWombat 67]

^^^ What I am looking for.^^^

 

Thanks a bunch. Any other suggestions, please post.

 

C

 

Have added some more items to my post. hth

[Jon 264]

Dayum Wombat, you're becoming a regular Pizza Bob around here!

[TheWombat 67]

Dayum Wombat, you're becoming a regular Pizza Bob around here!

 

*LOL* Just trying to contribute to the forum while the topic is fresh in my mind. Wait another 3 months and I'd have completely forgotten what it was like to be a *newbie* :-)

 

TheWombat

[scig 12]

Wambat,

You are kind, considerate, knowledgeable and an extremely accurate in all your suggestions. Keep up the good work in helping others who are new to this great sport of pistol shooting.

 

Scig

[bry@n 195]

Phil,

 

That is awesome that you didn't type in all caps. Not that it bothered me, but I noticed it right away. I gave you a +1 for that.

 

Wombat,

very good post. I like the sawfly's gonna look into em.

[M4BGRINGO 139]

Uggg, the idiot mark. Well, I am one of the many IDIOTS and made that damn mark! Really pizzes me off I did that too, my Springfield Armory 1911 is so darn nice. That's life.

[efl15 0]

Make sure the bore is not obstructed.

[Bully 749]

Make sure the bore is not obstructed.

 

I most definitely will do that.

 

C

[Twospot 38]

Sorry, I'm just learning... what is the bore?

[PeteF 1,044]

Sorry, I'm just learning... what is the bore?

 

The barrel

[Bully 749]

Sorry, I'm just learning... what is the bore?

 

Several of my colleagues!

[Twospot 38]

LMAO